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by Alexis Cooper
MARLBORO COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — Marlboro County leaders are moving to temporarily pause the acceptance of new solar farm applications as the county considers how it wants to regulate future solar development.
At the same time, county council is pursuing tax incentives for two solar projects already in the pipeline.
Council is considering Fee-in-Lieu-of-Ad-Valorem-Taxes agreements for Violet Farm, LLC and Pivot Energy SC 30, LLC.
A FILOT agreement allows a qualifying project to make negotiated payments in place of property taxes under South Carolina's economic development tax structure.
The proposed agreements come as county leaders weigh the potential economic benefits of solar development against concerns about farmland and employment.
Marlboro County Council Vice Chair and District 4 Councilwoman Pearly Lawson voted against entering into a FILOT agreement.
Lawson said she respects property owners who choose to sell their land but believes the county needs to examine its zoning regulations as solar development continues to be proposed.
“Bottom line they do not produce jobs in this county. That’s the thing for me, they do not present jobs, and I'm going to stick with that,” Lawson said.
District 8 Councilman Anthony Woods said the county needs additional revenue and should consider a variety of economic-development opportunities.
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“Right now, Marlboro County is a county that needs revenue,” Woods said. “Solar farm, data centers, whatever come, we need to entertain all aspects to bring money to Marlboro County.”
The majority of council voted in favor of the tax incentive agreement on first reading, title only.
County documents identify both projects as qualifying economic-development projects under South Carolina law.
Earlier this year, Project Monarch Energy also presented plans to county leaders. According to the presentation made to the county, the project anticipated approximately $12 million in tax revenue.
The county has not yet provided additional information requested by ABC 15 about the current status and locations of the Violet Farm and Pivot Energy projects, or how much revenue the county expects to receive from each.
While the county considers incentives for projects already in the pipeline, council is also moving forward with a proposed four-month moratorium on accepting applications for solar and solar farm use.
The moratorium is intended to give county leaders time to review existing zoning regulations and consider whether changes are needed.
The proposed moratorium could also be extended for an additional 90 days through a future resolution of county council.
Councilman Verd Odom has also expressed concerns about solar development.
In a statement posted to social media, Odom wrote in part:
“We need to Protect and Save every acre of Farmland We have in Marlboro County.”
Odom also said farmers he has worked with across South Carolina are opposed to solar farms.
The county's proposed moratorium applies to the acceptance of new applications. Whether projects already in the county's development or economic-development process are affected depends on their status and the language of the county's ordinance.
Marlboro County Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposed solar moratorium on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
ABC 15 has reached out to the Interim County Administrator Doris Sumpter for additional information about the proposed projects, including their locations, current status and anticipated revenue for the county. We are still waiting to receive a response.
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